Have you ever wondered just how many different types of shrimp swim in our oceans and rivers? Well, you’re in for a surprise! While browsing the seafood counter, it might seem like shrimp is just shrimp, but there’s actually an incredible variety out there Let me break it down for you in this complete guide to shrimp varieties.
The Quick Answer
There are over 2,000 known species of shrimp worldwide! However, only a small portion of these are commercially available for consumption. For our everyday cooking and eating purposes, we typically encounter about 6-8 main varieties in markets and restaurants.
Most Common Commercial Shrimp Types
1. White Shrimp
White shrimp are among the most popular varieties you’ll find in stores, They come in three main types
- Pacific White Shrimp (also called White Leg Shrimp)
- Mexican White Shrimp
- Chinese White Shrimp
These guys have a sweet, nutty flavor and are super versatile in cooking. Fun fact: they’re excellent jumpers! I’ve seen them literally leap out of cooking pots – no kidding!
2. Pink Shrimp
Pink shrimp varieties include
- Gulf Pink Shrimp
- Maine Shrimp
- Oregon Pink Shrimp
- Southern Pink Shrimp
They’re naturally pink when raw (hence the name!) and have a slightly sweet, tender meat.
3. Brown Shrimp
These fellows have:
- More mineral flavor than white and pink shrimp
- Higher iodine content
- Turn pink when cooked
- Perfect for dishes like gumbo
4. Tiger Shrimp
These are the big boys of the shrimp world:
- Can grow up to 13 inches long!
- Have distinctive black stripes
- Commonly farmed in Asia
- Firmer texture than other varieties
Specialty Shrimp Types
1. Rock Shrimp
- Hard, rock-like shell
- Often compared to lobster
- Usually sold already peeled
- Great substitute for lobster meat
2. Royal Red Shrimp
- Bright red color even when raw
- Sweet, lobster-like flavor
- Found in deep waters
- Premium pricing
Size Classifications
Here’s a handy table for shrimp sizes:
| Size Name | Count Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Extra Colossal | U/10 |
| Colossal | U/15 |
| Jumbo | 21/25 |
| Large | 31/40 |
| Medium | 41/50 |
| Small | 51/60 |
Fresh vs. Frozen: What You Should Know
Here’s something that might surprise ya – most “fresh” shrimp at the seafood counter were actually frozen first! Unless you’re buying directly from a local port or fish market, your shrimp has probably been:
- Individually quick frozen (IQF)
- Thawed for display
- Sitting on ice at the counter
Sustainable Shrimp Choices
When shopping for shrimp, keep these tips in mind:
- U.S. wild-caught shrimp is most sustainable
- Avoid imported wild shrimp (often caught with harmful methods)
- Be cautious with imported farmed shrimp
- Check Seafood Watch recommendations
Cooking Tips
Different types of shrimp work better for different dishes. Here’s what I recommend:
- For Grilling: Large white or tiger shrimp
- For Pasta Dishes: Medium white or pink shrimp
- For Fried Dishes: Small to medium brown shrimp
- For Special Occasions: Royal red or rock shrimp
Storage and Handling
To keep your shrimp fresh:
- Store in refrigerator immediately
- Use within 2 days if fresh
- Keep frozen shrimp in freezer until ready to use
- Thaw overnight in fridge, not on counter
The Bottom Line
While there are thousands of shrimp species out there, you’ll mostly encounter just a handful in stores and restaurants. Each type has its own special characteristics and best uses. The key is picking the right type for your dish and ensuring it’s sustainably sourced.
Remember, whether you’re making a quick stir-fry or fancy shrimp scampi, understanding these different types can really up your seafood game! And hey, next time someone asks “how many types of shrimp are there?” you can wow them with your knowledge!
Got any favorite shrimp recipes or tips to share? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
How to Find Sustainable Shrimp vs Overfished Shrimp
When it comes to shrimp, like most seafood, sustainability should always be a consideration. With declining ocean stocks and entire ecosystems at risk, the seafood industry must pay attention to its environmental impacts. By researching and buying sustainable shrimp, seafood lovers are helping to balance the dwindling ecosystems and prolong the species.
The fastest way to evaluate sustainability is to look for shrimp that’s marked by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch seal of approval—like these.
But what makes it sustainable? Sustainability is when shrimp (really all seafood) is caught or farmed in ways that consider the long-term impacts on the survival of the species and the well-being of the oceans—you can see our sustainability commitment (and the receipts) here.
The two methods of harvesting shrimp are man-made farms and by catching them in their natural habitats. Both harvesting methods have benefits, but there are a few things you should look for before buying sustainable shrimp.
Sustainability Issues With Wild Shrimp
Certain wild-caught shrimp come with their own set of sustainability issues. The most common method of catching shrimp in the open ocean is through trawling. This means that fishermen sink a heavy net to the bottom of the ocean and drag it along, gathering a lot more than shrimp on their way.
By some estimates, ocean trawling for seafood can accumulate up to five pounds of bycatch (plants and other animals, primarily) for every pound of edible shrimp. When this bycatch is caught and discarded, it leaves gaps in an ecosystem and food chain that can cause serious harm.
To curb this, many American fishermen use bycatch reduction devices or BRDs. There are a few US-based shrimp sources that practice sustainable fishing.
Highly Profitable SHRIMP Types for SHRIMP Farming Business (Shrimp Origin, Growth, Weight)
FAQ
What is the best type of shrimp to eat?
Wild Red Shrimp and Argentinian Red Shrimp are among the best-tasting varieties due to their natural sweetness and firm texture. 2.Mar 24, 2025
What shrimp is bigger, 16/20 or 13/15?
U/15: Under 15 shrimp per pound (Colossal) 16/20: 16 to 20 shrimp per pound (Extra Jumbo) 21/25: 21 to 25 shrimp per pound (Jumbo) 26/30: 26 to 30 shrimp per pound (Extra Large)
What are the 7 levels of classification for shrimp?
- Phylum: Arthropoda.
- Subphylum: Crustacea.
- Class: Malacostraca.
- Subclass: Eumalacostraca.
- Superorder: Eucarida.
- Order: Decapoda.
- Suborder: Natantia.
- Superfamily: Penaeoidea.
What is the tastiest shrimp in the world?
- Shrimps. Camarão da Costa Negra. Acaraú Brazil. …
- Shrimps. Nordseekrabben. GERMANY. and 3 more regions. …
- Shrimps. Symi shrimps (Simiako garidaki) Symi. Greece. …
- Shrimps. Goong foi. THAILAND. Goong foi refers to tiny freshwater shrimp commonly found in Thailand. …
- Shrimps. Morecambe Bay shrimps. Lancashire.